DAILY- HOMILY

July 18, 2015 SATURDAY, 15th Week in Ordinary Time 

Green 

Ex 12:37 – 42 / Mt 12:14 - 21

Reading: Ex 12: 37 – 42

     The Isrealites left Rameses for Succoth, about six hundred thousand of them on the march, counting men only, and not the children.

     A great number of other people of all descriptions went with them, as well as sheep and cattle in droves.

     With the dough they had brought with them from Egypt, they made cakes of unleavened bread. It had not risen, for when they were driven from Egypt they could not delay and had even provided themselves with food. 

     The Israelites had been in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years. It was at the end of these four hundred and thirty years to the very day that the armies of Yahweh left Egypt.

     This is the watch for Yahweh who brought Israel out of Egypt. The night is for Yahweh, and the sons of Israel are also to keep vigil on this night, year after year, for all time. 

Gospel: Mt 12:14 - 21

     Then the Pharisees went out and made plans to get rid of him. As Jesus was aware of the plot, he went away from that place. Many people followed him and he cured all who ere sick. Then he gave them strict orders not to make him known.

     In this way Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled: "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, and with whom I am pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him and he will announce my judgment to the nations. 

     "He will not argue or shout, nor will his voice be heard in the streets. The bruised reed he will not crush, nor snuff out the smoldering wick. He will persist until justice is made victorious and in him all the nations will put their hope."

Reflection:

     The first reading from Exodus recalls the march of the people of Israel from Egypt, "six hundred thousand of them on the march, counting men only, and not the children." The reading recalls the length of their slavery in Egypt, four hundred and thirty years, and thus emphasizes the greatness of what Yahweh did for his people in freeing them from the slavery of Pharaoh.

     And the people of Israel are forever to be grateful to Yahweh and to forever celebrate their deliverance from Egypt.

     In the Gospel reading we see the Pharisees plotting "to get rid" of Jesus.  Jesus moves on to safer places, continuing to cure the sick. 

     Despite the opposition and dangers, Jesus remains true to his mission, as prophesied by Isaiah: "Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, and with whom I am pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him and he will announce my judgment to the nations. . . . . He will persist until justice is made victorious and in him all the nations will put their hope."

Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our prayers and for those who need our prayers the most. 

Have a good day!

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